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Discussion on restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir

New Delhi. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah met Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday and the two leaders discussed issues to the Union Territory. Before leaving for the national capital, the Chief Minister said he would discuss all issues to Jammu and Kashmir.

He said, “I wish we could have got statehood in a single meeting with the Home Minister. Had it been so, we would have got it long ago. But yes, I will definitely raise statehood and other issues to Jammu and Kashmir in the meeting.

Abdullah had also said that there is nothing wrong in giving telecommunication powers to the Lieutenant Governor during programs to public safety, because he is in charge of security and law and order.

Abdullah said, this is the right step. These powers should be with the Lieutenant Governor. This is neither against business rules nor against the Reorganization Act. He said orders to shut down phone services or internet are issued by the Home Department, which comes under the Lieutenant Governor.

The Center last week authorized the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir to exercise powers to telecom services in the Union Territory, such as blocking signal, suspending service, etc., during public safety incidents or national emergency.

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